Business Operations Careers

Insurance is big business. Literally. Many insurance companies are big. Some have tens of thousands of employees worldwide.

When an organization is that size, it needs all kinds of people whose job is, ultimately, to make that organization run smoother. The result is a broad category of careers you can collectively think of as business operations.

Take business analysts, for example. They focus on ways for companies to find efficiencies and cut costs, often serving as translators between business units and IT workers. The business analyst is the rare person who can help make certain that the technology is serving the business, often by gathering and organizing information about a problem to be solved or procedure to be improved.

Another example is compliance officers. Insurance is a highly regulated industry, and compliance officers help ensure that rates, rules, forms, and underwriting and claims practices comply with the law.

Or even training and development professionals. Many insurers support their employees’ continuing education and actually have departments that actively provide opportunities for staff to learn more.

Here’s a sampling of business operations careers in the insurance industry and what it takes to get them.

Business Analyst

Undergraduate degree required? Yes, most often in business, insurance or computer science.

Advanced degree required? Not necessary, but can be helpful in lieu of job experience.

Typical career path: Business analysts come from diverse backgrounds in sales, consulting and IT work. These are people who see the need for research and development in order to streamline processes. Business analysts can specialize in certain areas, like technology or sales, or can apply a broader knowledge base to their efforts.

Salary range:

Entry level: $57,000

Senior level: $87,000

Median: $70,000

Entry-level job titles:

Business Analyst

Information Security Analyst

Computer Systems Analyst

Management Analyst

Financial Analyst

Budget Analyst

Compliance Officers

Undergraduate degree required? Yes. Aim for accounting, business or finance.

Typical career path: It takes about five years to be promoted to a full-on compliance officer, but there are lots of opportunities to grow into this position, from internships and work as an assistant compliance officer.

Human Resources and Training

Advanced degree required? No, but a master’s degree in a related field may be required for growth.

Additional requirements? No.

Typical career path: HR and training professionals can start their careers in an HR or training department or move into one of them from a related area. To advance beyond entry-level careers in HR and training departments, certifications are available through numerous organizations.

Salary range:

Entry level: $59,000 to $62,000

Senior level: $120,000

Median: $106,910

Entry-level job titles:

Human Resources Assistant

HR Specialist

Training Specialist

Employee Relations

Other opportunities in business operations related fields:

Workers Compensation

Administration/Clerical

Processing

IT

Legal

Supply Chain

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